What would you say to a new nursing student?

iHeartNICU · Jan 5, 2008

Congrats on starting nursing schhol. I just graduated about 2 weeks ago!! It is a long, hard, time consuming, & mentally & physcially draining road but you can totally do it if it's what you really want. Like you I went into school knowing NICU is what I wanted. I basically hated all of my clinicals except for the 4 days we spent in newborn nursery. I wanted to quit so often because I thought I would just hate nursing all together. But, I stuck with it and then my last semester I got a student position in the NICU I wanted to work at....then they offered me a job once I graduate. I LOVE NICU! So basically if you find the area you like, then that's a great thing.

Other things I like about nursing is the 12 hour shifts. This means I can work 3 and be off for 4....not too many careers you can do that. I like nursing because I love people and taking care of people....it's just what makes me happy. I love that if I ever get tired of the NICU, I can move on to one of a ton of other areas.

I can't think of much else at this moment but I hope that was at least a little helpful :) Best of luck and if you ever have any questions feel free to ask!

CeeKayRN · Jan 5, 2008

Congrats on taking the plunge! It's a great rewarding field. I can't imagine NICU, so great for you! Although, you may find that as you go through other areas in clinicals, you like other areas too, and that's ok! Of course, you'll find areas that you don't like as well... and that's even better!

The things I like about nursing: I love being able to help somebody feel better, or find out what's wrong with them when they are sick. I love being able to hit the floor running and keep that pace until I'm ready to quit. I love knowing I made a difference in somebody's life, even just for a few hours. Learning about patients lives outside of their visit... I could go on forever.

Things I hate about nursing: Well, I don't "hate" anything I have some strong dislikes, so I'll list those: I don't like seeing the same drunks over and over who want to detox for the umpteenth time(luckily you will avoid most of this in the NICU), Patients who cop attitued with me when we've done a million dollar workup and can't find the answer and then tell them to follow-up with their provider, Patient families who will spend hundreds of dollars on purses and cell phones and smokes but won't buy a friggen bottle of tylenol to keep on hand when their child has a fever. Patients who spit at me whilst drunk. Manipulative psych pts. Pediatric SANE cases(it just makes me so sad and angry). Again, this list goes on.... and it's not as long as my likes!!! I promise!

It's deffinitely a long, trying road, but if you have your heart and mind in it, you'll do awesome!!!

Again, Welcome and best of luck!!!!!

Tait, MSN, RN · Jan 5, 2008

As far as nursing school goes: Keep your head in the game, but remember why you are there. Yes you need good grades, but look up from your notes long enough to absorb what you are learning and think about how you would want it applied to you, your family, your mom/dad if they were in the hospital.

As far as nursing itself: Remember to do it for the patients, not the politics. One can quickly get wrapped up in negative side of nursing, before realizing that most of us started out to help people. Enjoy your patients, even if you get one that just drives you nuts, remember around the corner there is certainly one that is going to strengthen a little piece of your heart.

Best of luck!!

Tait

Harleygirl · Jan 5, 2008

RUN.

No, just kidding. I've been a nurse for over 10 years and in healthcare for 15. There are pros, there are cons. My advice-

Get good shoes. And be prepared to buy good shoes often.

Realize that sometimes nursing is hard. Physically, emotionally, and mentally. There will be days you go home and cry; there are days that you go home and feel inspired. Such is life.

Once a nurse, always a nurse. Very hard to turn that switch off.

Congratulations on a huge step. There are going to be times in nursing school that things seem irrelevant....and maybe that is so. Keep your eyes on the prize and avoid the politics. And remember to have a life outside of work! Best of luck to you!

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 5, 2008

Congratulations on taking the first step. When you get discouraged keep your chin up and keep your eye on the prize. It will be a long journey so make sure you try to enjoy the process of becoming a nurse along the way.

Good luck!

wazeout · Jan 5, 2008

I've read these post and find them inspiring as well as informative. I would like to know from an actual nurse in the field what I can realistically expect as a graduating ADN salary wise and mentorship. Will I get the support I need or will I be expected to hit the floor running?

Dunno? · Jan 5, 2008

What will I tell a new nursing student....This might seem really harsh but I would say dont ever trust your co workers.."Nurses eat their young" really means "Nurses eat each other"

LiverpoolJane · Jan 5, 2008

There are several things I would like to share with any nursing student. Firstly is try and enjoy it - embrace the opportunities that are offerred to you because once you are a RN it seems the opprotunities are no longer there for you. I don't know how it compares to the US but in the UK as a student we would be asked to escort pts a lot - going to different departments while pts have surgery, investigations etc. I never get to do this as an RN and so cannot speak from experience what it is like to have an MRI - that last CT scan I saw was in 1990. Although I've had a lot of pts go for kidney transplant I have never seen one - but my students have.

Also remember that some of the most important things you can do for a pt or their rels are the most simple and not the hi tech interventions we carry out. For instance I can remember as a student having the time to take time with pts to bathe them, wash their hair and this helps them feel better - again there isn't much time to do this anymore.

When I had my son there were a lot of people assisting me - the doctor and midwife who needed to help deliver my son with forceps are a blurr to me. The person who sticks in my mind is the student midwife who came in and helped me wash and change into fresh clothing etc - I can't tell you how good I felt after. Taking time to listen to people is a skill I have taken a long time to get right - and am still learning, but again these are the things people remember.

Having said all that I do love all the hi tech stuff and have a sense satisfaction when I know that my actions have helped to make people better - even saved their life - the pt and rels usualy aren't aware of all we do but thats what feels good to me.

I really hope you enjoy your training - I loved mine and would like to do it all again, don't be in a hurry to be an RN - just enjoy each allocation at a time - even if you don't like one you know you're not there forever.

Tait, MSN, RN · Jan 5, 2008

I've read these post and find them inspiring as well as informative. I would like to know from an actual nurse in the field what I can realistically expect as a graduating ADN salary wise and mentorship. Will I get the support I need or will I be expected to hit the floor running?

I am an ADN atm. At my first job the salary was the same as that of a BSN. At my new hospital I make 50 cents less an hour. When I am working on the floor the only difference I notice about the BSN's and the ADN's is the difference in letters on their name tags. I have know a lot of great ADN's and lousy BSN's and vice versa. The education is what you make of it.

As far as mentorship, when you are applying for jobs TELL them what you need. ASK them what their new grad program is and make sure you get AT MINIMUM (in my opinion) the option for six to twelve weeks of orientation. Give yourself time to learn the ropes, cause trust me, we learn a lot in school, but it is nothing compared to what is out there for us. :)

But trust me, it's a good thing. :)

Taitter

Sabby_NC · Jan 5, 2008

I wish you all the very best in your career decision.

My thoughts are that I chose the best LIFE long career for me :)

suzi-Q · Jan 5, 2008

Had a student nurse with my 1st baby. He was awesome. It was 12 yrs. ago and I still remember him. He stayed well over his shift, never left my side, helped my husband, and checked on me for days after. (Had a tough labor)

Students can make a difference too!